Dear Tightly Wound Woman:
You do so much. You run and you serve and you try hard to please. You aim to exceed expectations. You long for those pats on the back, the gold stars, and the compliments that stamp “approval” upon your soul. The message that you hunger to receive is, “You are enough.”
I understand your striving and driving. I know you’re secret…that you are afraid. You fear the bad news, the surprising news, and the this-is-not-what-I-was-expecting news. You control so you can feel safe, but you know deep down that you aren’t really the One in control nor have much ability to keep you or your loved ones safe…and that makes you mad and scared.
You are hard on yourself. You give hard punches to the gut and accuse that woman in the mirror of all sorts of awful. You bounce back and forth between superiority and inferiority and rarely land in the middle. You size yourself up to see where you are lacking and struggle to celebrate the grace-filled everyday moments. Be patient with yourself and be kind. Watch me unravel grace before you as you encounter the unexpected.
I know how hard it is. I know the inner workings of your mind. I know what makes you tick. I know what triggers your pain. I see the loneliness and how others misunderstand your confidence. I catch the tears that fall as others wait for you to initiate friendship and communication. I see how you just wish you could be heard without feeling like it’ll be “too much” for someone else to handle.
You have many strengths that this world needs. You are woven together tightly so that you are fit for the tasks ahead. Your intensity is present for good reason. But, it also can leave you lacking laughter and can easily cause a fret fest.
Let Me take care of the details. You don’t have to shoulder all this. I didn’t make you to do this alone. Let me carry this and carry you as we move forward.
I am capable of holding it and you together as we go forth.
I enjoy you.
I like you.
I love you.
Spending time with you is a delight. Relax the tension and lean into My ability. Oh, how I care for you.
Let Me be enough for you.
Remain tightly wound to My side; it’s a good place to be.
Love,
Me
Linking-up with Testimony Tuesday and the #RaRaLinkup on Tuesday and then Woman 2 Woman, Coffee For Your Heart, Three Word Wednesday and Tell His Story on Wednesday. Come on over, link-up, read, encourage and join the fun.:)
P.S. Come on back this Thursday (January 15th) as we talk about being put on hold. I am delighted to be guest posting at (in)courage that day. Would love to see you here and over there.:)
Katie- This is a keeper for my journal- to be read over and over. Thank you for speaking to my heart today… and so beautifully. This line struck a chord in me: “I see how you just wish you could be heard without feeling like it’ll be “too much” for someone else to handle. ” Such truth, friend. Great post!
I understand friend. Me too.:)
Beautifully written. We are all afraid of something, aren’t we? Whether we are bound up in our own identity or things of this world, sometimes the fear is just of letting go and letting God take control. I speak of this often in my own ministry, but needed to hear this encouragement today! 🙂
Thank you for coming over Nicki.:)
Remain tightly wound to my side…that’s great! Thanks for the love letter and for being a vessel of His love and grace, Katie.
Yes Mary- let’s stay wound up to His side- the best place to be.:)
Amen, Katie. I strive so much sometimes that I forget what it is like to rest. But he’s already done the work for me. I am free because of his great love. Thank you for this beautiful reminder. This is something I need to read again and again.
You are most welcome Abby.:)
Katie I just don’t know what to say except, I needed a letter today. I see myself as I once was and also the areas I still struggle in. Thanks friend. ~visiting from Testimony Tuesday and #raralinkup
Thank you Carmen.:)
Amen! This is a letter I need – often. Ha! I loved this – “You are woven together tightly so that you are fit for the tasks ahead. Your intensity is present for good reason.” So true. You bless me again Katie! But, that is to be expected.
Thank you Kelly.:)
These words right here-“I see the loneliness and how others misunderstand your confidence. I catch the tears that fall as others wait for you to initiate friendship and communication. I see how you just wish you could be heard without feeling like it’ll be “too much” for someone else to handle.” So good! I love how you described me and all the feelings that go with always trying to be enough! Blessings!
Hi Mary! Happy Wednesday to you. You are enough because He is enough.:) You’re not “too much” because His grace is enough for us all.
Love this Katie! I, too, can be a tightly wound woman. Either that or an I-don’t-give-a-d…n woman. Thank you for reminding me where my hope lies. Often in stillness. Forever in grace.
I understand Ashley and thank you for this, “where my hope lies. Often in stillness. Forever in grace.” Amen.
You’re more than welcome Katie. 🙂 Thank you for ministering through your words.
Good words of encouraging truth. Stopping by from Meredith’s link up. Thank you.
Thank you Debby.:)
Wonderful post. Thank you for sharing at #raralinkup 🙂
Thank you Ruth. Happy day to you.:)
I feel like you know me well, Katie! I’ve always been an achiever, but God is gently prompting me to become a receiver – of daily grace and rest in Him. Thank you for your hope-filled words!
I love that Renee- “a receiver instead of an achiever”.:)
Needed this. Tears.
Thanks for posting.
Donna
visiting from #ThreeWordWednesday linkup
Hugs Donna.:)
Yes, fear, control and trying to feel safe. Those words are the ones I struggle with. I needed this reminder. Thank you for such a touching and encouraging letter.
I understand.:)
Hi Katie,
Stopping by from Coffee for your Heart today. What a beautiful theme you’ve chosen because I think so many of us are that tightly wound woman! These encouraging words are a wonderful reflection for us!
Thank you Valerie- so glad we are not alone.:)
Oh how I needed this letter. Thank you, Katie. I’m so glad you linked up this specific post at #ThreeWordWednesday.
I’m glad Kristin- sometimes I wonder if the words resonate. Thank you for taking the time to say so.:) May your year of joy free you further.
This is great, Katie! Thank you so much for sharing. Just the picture at the top – with the ball of yarn and the word grace – speaks volumes; then the letter itself. I have signed up to get the other 11 letters. 🙂 Praise God for you. May He continue to bless you richly!
Thank you Cindy. Rebekah Ellis created the art for me.:) Happy Weekend to you.
This is a beautiful and stirring letter, Katie, and such a wonderful reminder of how we are truly not alone and how we truly have a purpose in the way God made us. This speaks deep to me, “Let Me take care of the details. You don’t have to shoulder all this. I didn’t make you to do this alone. Let me carry this and carry you as we move forward.” I cannot wait to read the other 11 letters. A great idea! <3
Thank you Meredith.:)
Katie, thank you so very much for your comforting words. I’m at a point
in my life when I’m scared all the time, for my family,for the violence
and misery in the world, and for my inability to deal with it. Were it not
for Our Lord Jesus Christ, I know that I would give up.Thank you !
Karen- Taking a moment to pray for peace for you. May His peace that passes all understanding guard your heart and mind as you trust in Him. Galatians 6:9 has been such a comfort to me, and hope it is to you as well. Hold on tightly to Jesus. Don’t give up.